Bruins prepare preseason plans

Herald StaffWednesday, July 17, 2013

Credit: Unknown

NEW STAR IN TOWN: Loui Eriksson will make his Garden debut with the Bruins on Sept. 19 when they host the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason game.

A seven-game NHL preseason schedule was released by the Bruins yesterday, a slate that includes an opener against the rival Montreal Canadiens and a pair of games with a new addition to their division, the Detroit Red Wings.

Rookie camp opens Sept. 3 at Wilmington’s Ristuccia Arena, with the first-year players then leaving for tourney play Sept. 6-8 in Coral Springs, Fla. Upon returning home, the rookies will be joined by the veterans for a full training camp starting Sept. 11 in Wilmington.

Preseason play starts Sept. 16 in Montreal and continues with matchups against the Washington Capitals (Sept. 17 in Baltimore), the Red Wings (Sept. 19 at the Garden; Sept. 21 in Detroit), the Capitals (Sept. 23 at the Garden) and the Winnipeg Jets (Sept. 26 in Winnipeg; Sept. 27 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan).

As part of the NHL’s realignment, the Red Wings will transition from playing in the Western Conference to being a part of the Eastern Conference’s Division C.

In addition to Detroit, the Bruins’ new division will also include the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Capitals will compete in the East’s Division D.

3 Staals in Carolina

Carolina re-signed winger Jared Staal to a one-year, two-way contract. The 22-year-old is the younger brother of Hurricanes forwards Eric Staal, the team captain,and Jordan Staal.

A fourth brother, Marc Staal, is a defenseman with the Rangers. . . .

Detroit agreed to a two-year contract with defenseman Brendan Smith.

Smith, a former first-round draft pick, played in 34 games for the Red Wings last season. He also appeared in all 14 postseason games.

Chicago-LA trade

The Los Angeles Kings acquired forward Daniel Carcillo from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade. The Blackhawks, who beat the Kings in the Western Conference finals on their way to winning the Stanley Cup, received a conditional selection in the 2015 draft. . . .

Dustin Penner returned to his original NHL home by signing as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks for one year.